Show ContentsDeadham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Deadham family

The surname Deadham was first found in northeast Essex at Dedham, a village within the borough of Colchester that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Delham. 1 By 1166, the place name had evolved to the current Dedham spelling. The place name literally means "homestead or village of a man called Dydda," from the Old English personal name + "ham." 2 The clothing-trade flourished here as early as the reign of Richard II. Of particular note was the group of early dissenters that left Dedham to found the township of Dedham in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635. They were led by John Rogers, a preacher banned from his work in England. The settlement flourished and is now a suburb of the city of Boston.

Early History of the Deadham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Deadham research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1426, 1503 and 1674 are included under the topic Early Deadham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Deadham Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Dedham, Deadham, Dedam, Dedman, Debingham, Dednum, Dednem and many more.

Early Notables of the Deadham family

More information is included under the topic Early Deadham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Deadham family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Wm. Debnam, who came to Virginia in 1631; Susa Dedman, who came to Virginia in 1659; Charity Deadman, who arrived in Maryland in 1681; Thomas Debnam, who came to America in 1685.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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